Morning came slowly over the field.
Yvonne Carter stood outside the command tent.
Two more years.
The words echoed in her head.
She had fought for this position, earned it with skill, discipline, and sacrifice. Walking away now would mean letting go of something she had built with her own hands but staying meant giving more of herself, time and dedication.
Behind her, Adrian waited.
He did not rush her, he did not speak for once, he did not try to guide her choice.
Yvonne took a slow breath and stepped back into the tent.
She activated the call.
“I am listening,” she said calmly.
The Zenith chairman appeared on the screen.
“We need your answer,” he said. “Now.”
Yvonne straightened.
“I will accept the extension,” she said. “On my terms.”
The chairman raised an eyebrow.
“ I wi
